But I am confused by the ergonomics. The camera has a handgrip of the sort you’d see on a DSLR or mirrorless camera with an eyepiece viewfinder — so you’d hold the camera up to your face to shoot.

This camera has a (non-orientable) 5” touchscreen on the back. So when shooting hand-held, do you have to hold the camera out in front of you as one does with an iPhone? How is the off-axis viewing, if you are holding it at a low angle?

John Brawley, did you try plugging in the OLED viewfinder from your Ursa Mini Pro? I realize it costs more than the camera, but I can imagine kludging together a rig with that finder, an SSD Mount, and an external battery. Maybe even something that would sit on your shoulder. You know, like the Mini Pro.

John, how does the low-light sensitivity of this dual-ISO sensor compare to the Mini Pro?

In terms of size and form factor, it's pretty much a more comfortable version of the original BMCC (most people were rigging the shit out of that camera). You can always add an EVF after the fact, and I'd bet they left it off to keep the price down.

I cut my teeth on Eclairs, SR IIs and ENG type cameras, which I think scare DSLR types. Personally, I love film and video cameras for moving images and DSLRs for stills. Though, I did make a Snorri-Cam type rig that the DSLR is perfect for.

It's also a way to sort of "blend in" to a crowd, or be less conspicuous, shooting video, which is understandable. A person with a DSLR, is not necessarily a "Pro" and can wander around shooting with impunity, rather than someone with a big rig on their shoulder, shooting "DIGITAL CINEMA!" "Excuse me sir, do you have a permit"?

The original Pocket Cinema Camera was pretty small and looked like a funky point & shot camera so it was less likely to draw attention.

As someone who came up as a stills photog, that form factor isn't horrible. With elbows tucked in and good breath control, you can get good video "stills style".

- Mark "Hiding in plain sight" Sasahara, DP, NYC. Or so I would have people believe.

- Mark "Hiding in plain sight" Sasahara writes:The original Pocket Cinema Camera was pretty small and looked like a funky point & shot camera so it was less likely to draw attention. As someone who came up as a stills photog, that form factor isn't horrible. With elbows tucked in and good breath control, you can get good video "stills style".

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I generally abhor compact cameras with only screens and no VFs or EVFs. But one thing that can really help a lot with those for casual shooting is a simple pistol grip, like the popular Barska. Cheap and effective. Tuck elbows and grip with both hands, and you're rock-solid. bhphotovideo.com/c/product/823279-REG/BARSKA_AF10926_ACCU_Grip_Camera_Pistol_Grip.html

If you have no choice but to shoot with a smartphone, with a pistol grip and this kind of clamp you're good to go: manfrotto.us/universal-smartphone-clamp-with-thread-connections

Yes, a pistol grip definitely helps smooth out your shot. I did some stuff a long time ago and used a padded pistol grip to "float" a small camera for a long, single take hand held shot, that worked surprisingly well, for all 18 takes. Also, if you put good wheels on a large rolling case, that can work decently as a dolly.

- Mark "Hiding in plain sight" Sasahara writes:The original Pocket Cinema Camera was pretty small and looked like a funky point & shot camera so it was less likely to draw attention. As someone who came up as a stills photog, that form factor isn't horrible. With elbows tucked in and good breath control, you can get good video "stills style".

Blackmagic has allowed me to share the footage they hired us to film with their prototype Pocket 4K before they do. We also have a BTS film to go along with it that some may find helpful. It was a pleasure working with them, and they have built a very impressive camera. I look forward to their new raw codec coming to this powerful little camera.

It was a very last minute project with a marketing look to it - intentional. And we learned a lot about this camera - it certainly punches well above its weight class. Now that we have used and abused it on a marketing piece for a hang gliding company, and made a few mistakes along the way, I'd love to shoot something cinematic on it - something it is definitely capable of. Hope this is helpful to those that are curious.

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